A number of school districts begin school this week, beginning Wednesday with St. Mary Parish schools. Here is a list of safety tips for drivers, parents, and students from St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert.
Motorists:
-Buckle up.
-Watch for children walking to and from school at intersections, on medians, and curbs. Remember that children can be unpredictable in their actions.
-Adhere to the posted speed limit in school zones. It is against the law in Louisiana to pass in a school zone when the zone is in effect.
-Be prepared to stop for school busses. According to Louisiana law, vehicles are required to stop no less than 30 feet from a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children along a route. School bus drivers activate visual signals such as lights or stop signs to let other vehicles know that the bus is stopping. Vehicles may not proceed until the bus resumes motion.
-Use the schools' designated student drop off and pick up areas.
-Consider changing your route to avoid school zones and bus traffic.
Parents and Children:
-If your child walks to school or to a bus stop, practice walking the path before the first day of school. Choose a route with the safest and least number of traffic crossings.
-Always obey traffic signs and signals.
-Make sure children look both ways before crossing any street and never step into the street from between parked vehicles.
-Children taking a bus to school should wait in a location away from traffic, out of the street, and off of the curb.
-When boarding and exiting a bus, children should always walk in view of the bus driver and follow the driver's instructions.
-Make sure your child knows the correct phone numbers and address to contact you in case of an emergency.
-Parents, discuss with your children the dangers of speaking to strangers. A stranger is anyone that you or your child doesn't know well. Remind kids that they should never accept gifts from strangers or offer to help someone they do not know.